Is it permissible for other than the khatib to lead the Friday prayer?

In salat al jumma”, is it permissible for the khatib to allow one of the congregants to lead the salah instead of him? if so, what are the conditions that must be observed, and is it considered makruh?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate

It is permissible in the Friday Prayer for the one delivering the sermon (khatib) to appoint someone else to lead the prayer, provided that the person who leads the prayer attended and listened to the entire sermon (khutba). If, for example, someone came late to the Friday prayer and missed part of the sermon, it would not be valid for him to lead the Friday prayer (Tuhfat al-Muhtaj).